Why do you fear?
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4.18
Just prior to verse 18 John states, “If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us” (verses 15 and 16).
As followers of Christ, we have no need to fear for God lives in us and we in Him. “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil for you are with me” (Psalm 23.4). Even in that darkest place, the unknown place, the worst place in our story, even there we can live without fear. We can do so because of Jesus. When we choose to fear in place of the loving grace of God that covers the multitude of our sins, we discount the power of the cross.
“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1.4-5
God has gone before us. Recall, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). Love came on our behalf. Jesus died so that we may have life and have it abundantly. In the frailty of our human responses, fear will rise. However, we can choose to make company with that fear or we choose to keep company with God. We choose in faith to believe the truth, to take hold of the truth and to live in the truth that has set us free. We do so by relying on the love God has for us, instead of relying on unknowns, perceptions, self-sufficiency and uncontrollable outcomes.
We rely on the love God has for us. There is no fear as we live here in this love.
Reflection:
- What do you fear?
- What does it look like for you to rely on the love God has for you?
- “There is no fear in love.” How might you live more fully into this truth today?
Pray through Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Thank you for sharing. Great reminder that our Father stands beside us through those difficult times. Passing of my parents and nephew, Covid, war in Ukraine and more recently my husband had a stroke has weighed heavy on my mind and heart. Taking time to reflect on Ps 23 reminds me that God is always there.
Thank you Tami for your sharing your thoughts and heart. I am so grateful that God does not leave or forsake us and has given us His living Word so that in these times where we can find consolation in His Word. Additionally, I join in praising Him that it’s through community and even spaces such as this in which He is ever present to us, through each other.
I have taken Psalm 23 many times and prayed it line by line. I pray a line and then insert the areas and people on my heart to pray for.
I join in praying for you to continue to encounter the comfort of our Shepherd who sees you. Blessings to you Tami.
-Heather
Tami, my prayer is for you this morning. Praise God you choose to allow Gods love to wash over you. James 4:8